Page:Vol 5 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/780

760 his retreat, and on the morning of the 9th arrived at Ixtapa, whence he went on to the capital.

General Corona, who commanded at the capital, in order to keep up the courage and enthusiasm of the garrison, which consisted of about 1,550 infantry, the alumni of the military school inclusive, 950 cavalry, and upward of 600 artillerymen, reported the receipt of official despatches that Vera Cruz had surrendered. Degollado's army of over 6,000 men was divided into three sections, one of which went in the direction of Atzcapotzalco, another toward the hacienda of Enmedio, and the third to Ahuehuetes and Tlalnepantla. The reactionary forces under Callejo and Mejía, who had followed the constitutionalists, were not prevented by Degollado from joining others of their army, and from taking possession on the 22d of March of Tacubaya and Chapultepec, and entering Mexico the next day. Other reactionary parties, both large and small, were also permitted to go to the relief of the beleaguered capital. The incompetency of the liberal commander for the responsible position he held was thus further confirmed. His undisciplined troops were easily routed on the 7th of April, and Marquez entered the city without obstruction. So much ignorance and lack of military prowess on the part of the besiegers inspired the reactionary army with hopes of easy victory, and they were not disappointed. A battle was fought on the 11th of April, in which the constitutionalists were signally defeated, Degollado's loss in men and war material being large, and his force almost entirely dispersed.

The liberal army had been intrenched in Tacubaya, Chapultepec, and Molino del Rey. Marquez sallied